Earlier this month over 100 residents of the Kingsmead Estate in King’s Park Ward in Hackney came together to demand that Sanctuary Housing tackle long term problems of damp, blocked drains, unfinished repairs and a lack of investment on their estate.

Together with their local councillors, Tom Rahilly, Rebecca Rennison and Sharon Patrick, they met with Simon Clark, the Managing Director of Sanctuary Housing, and his team to outline their concerns.

Having heard residents’ concerns, Sanctuary Housing have now committed to working with residents to improve life on the estate.  Sanctuary committed to putting in place a team of staff dedicated to improving Kingsmead Estate and to reporting on improvements in three months. They also promised to increase cleaning and maintenance, tackle anti-social behaviour and introduce regular communication with residents.

 The meeting followed on from an earlier campaigning by residents, the local councillors and Meg Hillier MP.

Following December’s meeting Cllr Rahilly, said:

“It’s great to see so many residents with such passion for improving their estate. Kingsmead residents deserve a better deal from Sanctuary Housing, who I think had their eyes opened to life on the estate. It was good to see residents listened to and I know residents will work together to hold Sanctuary to their promises.”

Local resident Patti Bee said:

“This has pulled our community together.  We’ve heard horrific stories of people living with damp that affects their children’s health, of repairs that are left unfinished for years and anti-social behaviour ignored. This is the worst it’s been for years and has to be put right. We’re looking forward to working with Sanctuary to change this situation.”

Residents have set up a group to work with Sanctuary and oversee improvements on the estate.

Meg Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South & Shoreditch, said:

“This shows the difference that the Labour Party working in partnership with local residents can make. Housing is one of the issues that affects people in Hackney the most. Sanctuary Housing owe it to the residents of the Kingsmead Estate to address the problems that have been raised. I look forward to seeing them deliver their promises.”

Hackney Council has passed a Labour motion calling for better information and improved rights for private renters. The motion also marked the launch of Hackney’s own lettings agency, establishing a fair and reliable service for both tenants and landlords.

One in three homes in Hackney is privately rented, and the number is growing. As property prices have soared, many individuals, including families, have no choice but to rent. This makes it increasingly difficult for families to settle and put down roots.

Cllr Will Brett, who proposed the motion, said: “We have seen the number of complaints about property conditions in the private rented sector double over the past seven years. This is at the same time as many households are being increasingly squeezed by rents that are spiralling ever further out of control. That's why we're campaigning to do everything we can to improve conditions in the private rented sector.

“A Labour government will make three-year tenancies the norm and ban letting agents' fees. But in Hackney we want to make sure we're doing everything we can in the meantime. We're talking to as many Hackney renters as possible and getting a clearer picture of where there are problems. That way we can intervene where we're able, and help make conditions better.”

Cllr Philip Glanville, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Hackney Council passed a motion on improving the private rented sector at full council on Wednesday 22 October. One key aspect of the motion was the development of a Council-run letting agency; I am pleased to say this social letting agency is in the process of being set up and will provide another avenue for residents to find good quality rental properties."

The average monthly rental cost in Hackney’s private rented sector is £2,125 for a family home, an increase of 9.15% from the same time last year. In addition, households can face letting agents’ fees of up to £500 every time they move home.

Notes

1. For more information and interviews, contact Will Brett, Hackney Labour Group Campaigns Officer, on 07979 696 265 / william.brett@gmail.com

2. The full text of the motion, passed on 22nd October 2014,  is available at http://mginternet.hackney.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=112&MId=2818

3. All Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors present voted for the motion; Conservative councillors voted against

4. For more information about the Hackney Labour campaign on the private rented sector, visit http://www.hackney-labour.org.uk/renting_in_hackney

On Saturday 27th September Hackney Labour launched its campaign to help improve conditions in the private rented sector.

Join our campaign!

With average private rent in Hackney at £2,125 per month, letting agents charging as much as £500 per move, and some landlords regularly hiking up prices, some renters are finding themselves in increasingly vulnerable situations.

A Labour government will introduce much-needed relief for people in the private rented sector, including making three-year tenancies the norm, and banning letting agents' fees. In Hackney, the Council is setting up its own lettings agency and is committed to improving conditions in the sector.

But we need to know more about what's going on in the private rented sector in order to help the Council improve conditions. So we've set out to contact as many Hackney private renters as possible, asking them to join our campaign. Later we'll ask those who have signed up to tell their story of renting in Hackney.

Please join the campaign to make renting in Hackney better

Around 25 Labour members and supporters took to Hoxton Street and Lower Clapton Road to launch the campaign. And we'll be out and about over the coming months to sign people up. If you see us, come and say hello!